“We are so going to be on everyone’s list after things settle down.  No Christmas presents for us” Shane said while trying to lighten everyone’s mood.

            “How is Bette handling everything?  Is she o.k.?” asked a very nervous Alice.  “Define o.k. Alice!  O.K. as is she just found out that the love of her life has just given birth to their child or o.k. as in Tina didn’t even tell Bette she was leaving L.A.” asked Shane sarcastically.  “Alright, I get the message.  I guess that was a pretty stupid question, huh?” said Alice as she fidgeted with her cup of coffee.  “No more stupid than usual” replied Dana smiling.  The three finally shared their first small laugh of the day.

            Staring into the busy traffic below Bette felt her tears begin to fall.  “God how did I manage to ***** everything up so horribly?” she muttered to herself.  I wasn’t there for her the way I should have been during the first pregnancy and I wasn’t here at all for this one.  Suddenly Bette’s thoughts returned to the night that she and Tina her father about the pregnancy.  She cringed as she thought of Tina leaving their dinner and taking a cab home alone.  Melvin’s harsh response to the news of their becoming parents was an affront to both of them, not just Tina.  How could I have let her leave without me?  I should have told my father that if that was his decision, then I was sorry but that my wife came first and I would not stand by and allow him to insult the mother of my child.  How had Tina put up with her for not standing up to her father for all these years?  As her tears continued to stream down her face she thought of the day of the miscarriage.  How could I have not been on time for the appointment?  It was left to Tina to handle the news alone.  No wonder she withdrew from me after that day.  But the saddest thought she had was the fact that ultimately she had done to Tina what her father did so often to the women in his life – she broke every vow that the two of them had ever made to each other.

            “Guys it has been like 15 minutes.  Shouldn’t we go find Bette?”  questioned Alice.  No sooner had she gotten the question out of her mouth than she saw Bette walk into the cafeteria.  Alice was taken aback by the look of utter helplessness that she saw on her face.  She stood and walked towards Bette.  “Baby I am so sorry for all of this” she said as she hugged the brunette’s neck.  “How are they both doing?” asked Bette weakly.

“Both are doing fine although they said that Tina will be in recovery for a few hours probably” Alice replied.  “Have you seen the baby” sighed Bette.  “Yes and she is beautiful not to mention a great set of lungs on the kid.  Geez she is already screaming as loud as one of her moms can” Alice said as she smiled softly at Bette.  “You want us to go up and see the baby with you?” asked Alice.  Bette looked up at Alice with tears in her eyes and said “I need to see her alone.”